Music, Loss, and Art That Inspires Us to Serve

Guest Post – Jason Lacsamana, Director, Programs and Partnerships

I was shocked when R&B genius D’Angelo died from pancreatic cancer last month. Musicians and their artistry have always been important to me. As a teenager, I played albums on repeat, leaning into their power. The songs not only set the tone for a day, they also shaped how I see the world.

Artists like D’Angelo mark a whole chapter of life. For me, artists like Prince and Luther Vandross were equally influential. Their lyrics felt like conversations, and their voices were guides. Very few artists do that for an entire community like they did.

More than entertainment, these artists stood up for people, culture, and community. D’Angelo said artists should sing and write about social change. He recognized the power artists have to influence minds and lives. He pointed to conscious music as a force that once sat in the center of popular culture, and when he saw gatekeepers limiting what music is made, he urged musicians to push through anyway.

Prince turned belief into practice. He wrote “Baltimore” in response to the death of Freddie Gray in police custody. The song called for peace and justice, but more so lifted a city in pain, offering some hope in a dark time of grief. Prince used his platform and resources to support the community, often in quiet ways. His closest network describes his clear focus on humanity and justice, an example that matters to me. It shows that you can use gifts to uplift, keep the work centered on people, and not praise.

The lives (and losses) of people like D’Angelo and Prince serve as reminders that you don’t need a title to create change—volunteering, coaching, and even creating art help you show up for your community. You can support your neighbors who deserve to be seen and heard. You can mentor a young person who wants to tell their story. You can help someone feel safe enough to sing their own song.

I grieve the artists who inspired and shaped distinct times in my life, and I find joy in sharing their music with others, hoping they feel the same spark I do. Especially my kids, who I hope seek out their own favorites to be inspired by.